Cable connector

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed herein provides a unique connector for making electrical contact by providing within the connector housing a storage area for enough additional cable to allow for installation variations in production line items.

United States Patent [1 1 Moore CABLE CONNECTOR [75] Inventor: Stuart I. Moore, West Covina, Calif.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC.

[22] Filed: Apr. 12, 1971 [211 App]. No.: 133,091

[52] US. Cl 339/136 M, 339/192 R [51] Int. Cl HOlr 13/72 [58] Field of Search 339/119, 94, 105,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,546,658 12/1970 Van Horssen et a1. 339/91 R X i :IIIIIIIIA Aug. 14, 1973 3,281,756 10/1966 O'Keefe et a1. 339/143 R X 2,105,573 l/1938 Wilson 339/122 R X 1,750,014 3/1930 Lofgren 339/103 M X 3,601,779 8/1971 Waller, Sr. 339/103 M X 3,391,381 7/1968 Livingston 339/143 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 723,084 2/1955 Great Britain 339/177 R 827,134 2/1960 Great Britain 339/103 B Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Att0rneyRichard J. Miller and R. S. Sciascia [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention disclosed herein provides a unique connector for making electrical contact by providing within the connector housing a storage area for enough additional cable to allow for installation variations in production line items.

I 4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure CABLE CONNECTOR During the development of certain missiles and the accompanying design of missile launchers, it has been found necessary to provide a flexible electrical cable for connecting the two to provide fire control inputs to the missiles. These inputs include not only the programming of the range and air frame separation programmer but also the thermal battery start and rocket motor ignition signals. The latter inputs paths require careful shielding from radio frequency interference and electromagnetic interference.

In addition to the electrical requirements, the adapters physical configuration is constrained by the need for a low profile and length flexibility. The former to minimize aerodynamic effects while the latter compensates for tolerance buildup in the location of the ignition and air frame seperation assembly relative to the restraining lug. A restraining lug is the feature used to locate the missile relative to the launcher.

One solution to this problem might have been to utilize cables having accordion folds or folding the cable back on itself. However, these two methods of accomplishing the flexibility have inherent limitations which make them not practical. In the accordion type folding a cross section larger than desired for the aerodynamic characteristics would be provided and in a figure S configuration, that is, folding back upon itself the amount of cable required would be at least three times the cable thickness and would also prevent the desired aerodynamic characteristics.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved connector plug wherein the connector assembly remains on the external surface of the missile during flight with improved aerodynamic characteristics.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a low profile cable connector having flexibility characteristics.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide storing capacity in a stowage area of the housing of the connector, to provide for the desired flexibility and elongation.

Additionally, the invention provides an improved connector assembly whereinthere is provided an improved connector plug, comprising: a hollow housing member having a plug end with a plurality of wire terminations mounted along a first axis in the housing and having a cable end for receiving a cable having a plurality of wire members, the cable end havinga second axis and the member having a stowage portion, a cable containing a plurality of wires extending through the cable end along the second axis through the stowage area to the wire terminations in the plug end, a flexible braided shield member on the cable affixed to the housing member to provide electrical isolation, a rubber jacket outside the braided shield and a retaining band outside the jacket for holding the rubber jacket and the braided shield affixed to the housing member, the cable and the housing initially assembled with the braided shield compressed to the cable end and the wire portion of the cable filling the stowage area such that the housing member may be extended along the second axis with the cable being withdrawn from the stowage area without placing strain upon the wire terminations in the plugs. I

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following de tailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

The FIGURE represents a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

The housing of the connector, generally designated as 10, as shown in cross-section has a plug end 11 and a cable end 12. The plug end is generally an enlarged portion having a central major axis 13 and the cable end is a hollow portion designed to receive a cable 16 along a second axis 17. In the configuration shown a plurality of insulated wire members l8, 19, 20 and 21 are shown terminating in metal prongs 22 for coupling to metal terminals 23. The central wire 21 is shown as a plurality of coaxial cable coupled to the metal portion 24.

The cable at the cable end of the housing member includes the main portion 27, including all the wire members, a braided shield 28 and a rubber jacket 29 all retained by a retaining band 30.

The braided shield portion makes electrical contact through the metal housing at the restricted portion of cable end 31.

As the housing is assembled with the cable in it, the main body portion 27, including the wires, is assembled in the housing member in a stowage area 34 such that the cable actually abuts up against the housing member. At the same time the braided shield portion of the cable is compressed, such that, the whole portion of the cable between points approximately 35 and 36 of the cable may be withdrawn from the cable end with the braided shield extending allowing for flexing or elongation of the cable upon insertion of the plug. It should be noted that with this configuration wherein the axis 13 and the axis 17 have an acute angle therebetween designated as 40, provides a substantial portion of the cable for the flexing or elongation. The amount of flexing is only limited by the size of the stowage area. A mounting tab 41 is provided to rigidly affix the housing after connecting.

In other configurations of the invention it would be possible to provide a great deal of stowage area within the housing member limited only by the flexibility of the braided coupling.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. An improved connector plug comprising:

a. a hollow housing member having a plug end with a plurality of wire tenninations mounted along a first axis of said housing and having a cable end for receiving a cable having a plurality of wire members, said cable end having a second axis wherein said first and second axes have a substantial acute angle therebetween, and said member having a stowage portion;

b. a cable containing a plurality of wires extending through said cable end along said second axis, through said stowage area to said wire terminations in said plug end;

c. a flexible braided shield member in said cable affixed to said housing member by soldering to pro vide electrical isolation;

d. a rubber jacket outside said braided shield; and

e. a retaining band outside said jacket for holding said rubber jacket and said braided shield affixed to said housing member; said cable and said housing initially assembled with said braided shield compressed to said cable end and said wire portion of said cable filling said stowage area such that the plug end may be extended along said second axis with said cable being withdrawn from said stowage area without placing strain upon the wires terminating in said plugs.

2. The plug of claim 1 wherein the braided shield is compressed at a position equivalent to the amount of been made. 

1. An improved connector plug comprising: a. a hollow housing member having a plug end with a plurality of wire terminations mounted along a first axis of said housing and having a cable end for receiving a cable having a plurality of wire members, said cable end having a second axis wherein said first and second axes have a substantial acute angle therebetween, and said member having a stowage portion; b. a cable containing a plurality of wires extending through said cable end along said second axis, through said stowage area to said wire terminations in said plug end; c. a flexible braided shield member in said cable affixed to said housing member by soldering to provide electrical isolation; d. a rubber jacket outside said braided shield; and e. a retaining band outside said jacket for holding said rubber jacket and said braided shield affixed to said housing member; said cable and said housing initially assembled with said braided shield compressed to said cable end and said wire portion of said cable filling said stowage area such that the plug end may be extended along said second axis with said cable being withdrawn from said stowage area without placing strain upon The wires terminating in said plugs.
 2. The plug of claim 1 wherein the braided shield is compressed at a position equivalent to the amount of extra cable stowed in the stowage area such that the cable may be extended the full amount of the stowed cable and preventing over extending the cable.
 3. The connector plug of claim 2 wherein the braided shield is compressed only so much as to expand a given amount to extend the cable only so far as no mechanical strain is placed upon the wire termination members.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein there is provided a mounting tab to rigidly affix the connector plug to another device after the electrical plug in connection has been made. 